Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today, after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Belgrade, that Ukraine is a friendly country, emphasizing that Serbia will continue to support its territorial integrity and announcing new forms of humanitarian aid.
Vučić told reporters at the Palace of Serbia that he was pleased to have had the opportunity to host Zelensky, emphasizing that they had long and good conversations yesterday and today, and expressed hope that everything they discussed, which concerns the improvement of bilateral relations in all areas of social life, will find true expression after those meetings.
Vučić reiterated the position that Serbia supports the Charter and Resolution of the United Nations (UN), which means the territorial integrity of all UN member states, including Ukraine, adding that he is very grateful to Ukraine for supporting the territorial integrity of Serbia.
"As far as we are concerned, we will continue to pursue such a principled policy and there is no 'but' on this issue, it is just as precise, clear, decisive, as I have stated at this moment," Vučić said.
He stated that they also discussed various forms and levels of humanitarian aid and everything Serbia has done so far, and said that more can always be done.
"I believe that our Ukrainian friends will be somewhat more satisfied in the future - we have already determined significant assistance in medicines. I also believe that, as far as the energy sector and various appliances, which are necessary for Ukraine, especially for the winter period, are concerned, we will help as much as we can," Vučić said.
He stated that they also discussed the European path of Serbia and Ukraine, that Ukraine will have Serbia's full support on its European path, and that Serbia should not make comments that would stop anyone on that path because it cannot open some clusters.
He said that he wants Ukraine to open and close all clusters as soon as possible, which Serbia neither has nor will have any problem with, that he will do everything to help Ukraine on its European path, and that he is grateful to the Ukrainian president for the support he always provides to Serbia on its European path.
"You have never heard a single bad word about our country from Volodymyr Zelensky, or anyone else, and I am extremely grateful to our Ukrainian friends for that and I believe that in the coming period - both in mining and energy, and especially in the field of agriculture - we can achieve significant results," Vučić said.
He pointed out that the level of trade between the two countries has significantly increased, which last year amounted to around 450 million US dollars, and already in the first six months of this year around 321 million.
"The most important import product from Ukraine for us is iron ore, and I believe that through cooperation in agriculture, energy and all other areas, trade exchange can be much greater. We also discussed joint projects in the field of infrastructure, the engagement of Ukrainian companies in the territory of Serbia, and I believe that we can achieve good and very significant results in the future," said Vučić.
He added that when he recently went to Kiev, he was fascinated by Ukraine's railway network and that Serbia can learn a lot from Ukraine about it, as well as from Ukrainian state-owned companies, and that they can work together to improve the transport network in Serbia.
"After the war ends, I believe that our cooperation will be even stronger and greater, both on the foreign policy front, so that we can jointly export certain things and enter third markets, especially on the African and Asian continents, and I believe that we have important talks ahead of us in the future, where we can further agree on such forms of cooperation," Vučić said.
Following the meeting of the two presidents, the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the Ukrainian State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of animal health and safety.
Zelensky: Thank you for the new humanitarian aid package and support for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been visiting Serbia since last night, expressed gratitude in Belgrade today for the respect shown to Ukraine, for the support for the Ukrainian people and the territorial integrity of their state, and also thanked for the new package of humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the areas of health and energy.
At a joint press conference after talks with Vučić, Zelensky said that there were new attacks on Ukraine last night and that 13 people were killed by Russian strikes in 24 hours.
He said that every night Ukraine is forced to endure attacks, most of which are directed at facilities essential to people's lives.
He said Kyiv appreciates any support from other countries.
"We are grateful that Serbia will provide a new humanitarian aid package to Ukraine in the areas of health and energy. This is of exceptional importance," Zelensky said.
He said that work is underway on a free trade agreement between Ukraine and Serbia and that these negotiations are progressing.
"It would be really good if we could prepare everything by the end of this year so that we could conclude a free trade agreement between Ukraine and Serbia," Zelensky said, emphasizing that relations between Kiev and Belgrade are based on mutual respect.
According to Zelensky, today in Belgrade there was talk of diplomacy and diplomatic opportunities that could contribute to ending the war.
Regarding Serbia's European path, as well as Ukraine's, Zelensky said that he wants every nation in Europe to receive a stronger signal from the European Union that the Union needs them.
Zelensky, who also thanked the Ukrainian people for their welcome in Serbia, said that Ukraine wants a "dignified peace" and that every opportunity should be used for the sake of peace and guaranteeing security.
"Every opportunity that exists in Washington, Beijing, the capitals of Europe, among our partners in the Middle East, in the Gulf countries and all other capitals and major cities around the world," Zelensky said.
Vučić: I hope the war will end tomorrow, but I don't see how
Vučić said he hopes the war in Ukraine "will end tomorrow," but he doesn't see "a way it can happen" and apologized for having to be so honest.
He said to a reporter: "If you ask me as a political veteran, I'm quite afraid that we're going to have a tough winter - mostly your people, but also others around the world."
Vučić said that it was agreed that Serbia would invest a lot in a small town in Ukraine that was exposed to Russian attacks.
Vučić: I did not discuss military cooperation with Zelensky
The Serbian president stated that he and Zelensky did not discuss any military cooperation today, "and what will happen when the war is over is another matter."
"I hope the killing will stop," Vučić said at the Palace of Serbia when asked by reporters during a joint press conference with Zelensky.
Speaking about alleged plans for Serbia and Ukraine to open a drone factory, Vučić said that Serbia is opening a drone factory in September, but in cooperation with Israel.
He said he expects the factory to open around September 15th or 20th. "We are doing it with the Israelis. The Ukrainians are very successful and have many of their own drone factories," Vučić added.
Vučić: We will never create a problem for Ukraine to join the EU, nor say: "Admit us first"
Vučić said he wishes Ukraine all the best in its EU integration.
He stressed that Serbia will never create a problem - "we will never say: 'Take us first, we started earlier, don't take Ukraine'".
He pointed out that Ukraine will have Serbia's full support on its European path and that Serbia should not make comments that would stop anyone because it cannot open some clusters.
He said that he wants Ukraine to open and close all clusters as soon as possible and that Serbia will do everything to help Ukraine in this, thanking the Ukrainian president for the support he always provides to Serbia's European path.
"As a political veteran, I do not see at this moment the possibility, first of all, for Serbia, I did not talk about Ukraine, to become a member soon for numerous political reasons," Vučić said.
He also does not believe that all Europeans will be favorable towards Ukraine's accession to the EU.
"They always find someone, for us they will find some Croats, Bulgarians, Dutch, for the Ukrainians they will find some others. At this moment I do not see the possibility of this being realistically implemented," Vučić explained.
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